E-SELECTIN EXPRESSION ON HUMAN BRAIN MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

E-Selectin is an endothelial adhesion molecule involved in binding and targeting of neutrophils. Little is known of its expression in the br ain. We examined the expression of E-selectin on cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC). There was no basal expression of E-selectin on HBMEC but with II-1b, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), o r lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation there was surface expression at 4 h. The expression was quantitatively less than on cultured human um bilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The cytokine-induced upregulat ion was partially inhibited with the glutathione donor, N-acetylcystei ne (NAC), the free radical scavenger, dimethylthiourea (DMTU; 15 mM) a nd dexamethasone (1 mu M). Allopurinol (100 mu M) had no effect. TNF a ctivated nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) in HBMEC, This activation could be attenuated by prior treatment with NAC and dexamethasone. Th iol donors and corticosteroids could play a role in inhibiting potenti ally deleterious neutrophil-endothelial al interactions in inflammator y conditions involving the brain.